During an interview this quiestion pop out. It made me thought about it. How would you manage activities that are a waste of time, but yet you dont know. Customer tells you that there is a communication problem, you move resources to find out, there was no problem at all. Saving Changes...
Is this just the customer testing you, or is it a situation where a previously undisclosed need has been identified? I've been on more than one project where, halfway into it, one of the stakeholders informed me of new communications requirements. In some cases, it was a simple request with an acknowledgment that it is a new requirement. In other cases, it was treated like something was missed that should not have been. In the latter case, I have handled it different ways. Sometimes, I have reviewed what was agreed to and then agreed to the change, pointing out that nothing was missed. Other times, when it was necessary to avoid political fallout, I've just made the change and moved on.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
If those activities are waste of time,then why to do them if they do not add value nor are they in the schedule or WBS ?
On the other hand, if the customer says there is communication problem, before taking action or moving any resources, the PM should evaluate the situation and then decide. In this way, you can discover whether there is an issue or not prior to taking action on ground. Saving Changes...
Was the question about a real fire drill or the customer was asking about a dress rehearsal for a Go-live in the project?
From my point of view, they aren't waste of time.
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1 reply by David Hernandez
Oct 31, 2016 7:36 PM
David Hernandez
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In project, in business, you have a customer who calls in with a long list of items, and he needs the answers (prices, availability, delivery times, audits) immediately, urgently You put aside other work, get him the information, he needs, and then it turns it he just wanted the information, there really was no urgency, he really is not buying anything, and you rushed for nothing.
Some customers are known for pulling "Fire drills" -- routinely acting as if things are urgent, when, in fact, they are not, and they lose credibility. Some bosses do the same thing.
Was the question about a real fire drill or the customer was asking about a dress rehearsal for a Go-live in the project?
From my point of view, they aren't waste of time.
In project, in business, you have a customer who calls in with a long list of items, and he needs the answers (prices, availability, delivery times, audits) immediately, urgently You put aside other work, get him the information, he needs, and then it turns it he just wanted the information, there really was no urgency, he really is not buying anything, and you rushed for nothing.
Some customers are known for pulling "Fire drills" -- routinely acting as if things are urgent, when, in fact, they are not, and they lose credibility. Some bosses do the same thing.
In project, in business, you have a customer who calls in with a long list of items, and he needs the answers (prices, availability, delivery times, audits) immediately, urgently You put aside other work, get him the information, he needs, and then it turns it he just wanted the information, there really was no urgency, he really is not buying anything, and you rushed for nothing.
Some customers are known for pulling "Fire drills" -- routinely acting as if things are urgent, when, in fact, they are not, and they lose credibility. Some bosses do the same thing.
Thank you David! My English is improving day to day thanks to this web!
I feel a little ashamed, but I've never heard before this word. New one in my glossary!
don´t be ashame, I did not know this word either in this context. I´m from Mexico city, my english is getting better too, thanks to you guys.. Saving Changes...
Great dialogue here. When does it become a problem though where you must take action to avoid wasting time, resources, and cost/money? Saving Changes...
I didn't realized it's metaphor. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Fully agree with Rami. If it do not add value it must not exists. And I add: If a project manager is not aware on that then she/he must be fired. Saving Changes...
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